In a sense, it was inevitable. This team was not about to go unbeaten. In fact, it became pretty apparent that with our offense that we were going to lose at least a couple of games during the season.
Of course, the hope was that one of those losses would not be against Michigan State in the Big House. That same Michigan State team that won just three games last season and then incurred a plethora of off-the-field issues and suspensions before this season. Some thought that Michigan State would just roll over and die. This was ridiculous. As I made clear to some supposed know-it-alls, MSU would be a tough game and had more talent than the last three teams that we had trouble beating.
https://michigan.forums.rivals.com/threads/why-do-people-keep-saying-msu.223489/
So yes, I expected Michigan to lose a few games. I knew that our offense would have to at least play near error-free ball and rely on our defense to win. Our defense held up to their end of the bargain, but five turnovers were at least one too many today. Of course, the weather didn't help. It perhaps would have helped if we held the lead when the downpour began, but we didn't and it is tough enough for this offense to play catch-up in fair weather conditions, virtually impossible in stormy weather.
So what next? This game told us more about our team than perhaps we wanted to know. Here are a few thoughts:
- The much-maligned Wilton Speight was the starter for a reason. O'Korn performed admirably against Purdue but he made several key mistakes today. He is not as effective at protecting the ball as Speight is. Sure he is more mobile and athletic, and behind our often porous OL that can be an advantage. However, I see a much higher degree of volatility at the QB position with O'Korn than with Speight. High risk, high reward. Wilton has sort of looked consistently mediocre, but he did not have a game as bad as O'Korn had today. Of course, the weather conditions played a role in this performance. In any event, the second string QB is always the fan favorite when the starter plays poorly. Lets see if there are calls for Brandon Peters or Dylan McCaffrey to get playing time.
- This offense has issues irrespective as to who the QB is. The OL is very inconsistent and often seems like a sieve. Our wide receivers are for the most part very raw. Too many drops (weather of course played a role today but it has been an issue all year, only Perry has been somewhat consistent) but also not seeing the route-running and situational awareness needed at the position. The young kids still seem to be more athlete than receiver, DPJ included. WE have a major issue at the RT spot. Ulizio was replaced by JBB. Both performed poorly. Even Mason Cole had issues handling MSU's walk-on DE. Frankly, our OL is nowhere near to being Big Ten title level.
- Losing to a rival is like a punch in the gut. Especially our so-called lesser rival in MSU. Fact is that Dantonio has dominated Michigan over the past decade. It is what it is. We have the better talent, but again he beat us. I could understand losing to him regularly in the RichRod and Hoke era, but in Jim Harbaugh's third year we should not have already lost to them twice in the Big House. For a program that some Michigan fans were calling a dumpster fire just a few months ago they are in a pretty good position, plus it looks like their recruiting is picking up, especially with the 2019 class. They may not be as talented as Michigan going forward, but they will still have more talent than 70% of the Big Ten and in a rivalry game that is enough for them to continue playing us tough and beating us 1/3 of the time as they did even back in the Bo/Mo/Carr era.
- Recruiting hit? Sure we will take a recruiting hit. Blue chippers like to play for winners. We will recruit very good players but if we want to get to the Alabama/Clemson/Ohio State level we need to have more classes like 2016 and 2017 and fewer like our 2018 class. This COULD impact our 2018 class. We had a slew of official visitors in today. Of course, if we get things turned around and close strongly today's loss could be substantially mitigated, but frankly if we cannot handle MSU in the Big House how can we beat Ohio State at home or PSU and Wisconsin on the road. This is starting to look more like a four loss regular season team. If that happens, it could substantially negatively impact how the class of 2018 closes and also how the class of 2019 starts to shape up.
- Remember, however, that we are about the youngest team in the nation. Next year can't come here soon enough. In the interim, what does this loss mean for possible future personnel changes? Especially on offense. I don't know if much happens in the next week, but with another loss and being knocked out of Big Ten title contention do we go with a younger QB in order to develop him and the offense for next season? Everybody is pointing towards next year but frankly our offense needs to improve immensely in order for us to be serious national contender. That could make Dylan McCaffrey possibly the single most important player on our current roster in terms of defining the 2018 ceiling of the Wolverines. I am just not convinced that any of the other QBs have it in terms of getting us to that next level. Also, what about starting to get the freshman OL some serious PT? Can't be worse than what we are currently seeing at a few spots. Ruiz, Stueber and/or Filiaga all have a chance to see serious time sooner rather than later if this offensive downtrend continues. And at WR, the sophs-McDoom and Crawford-just have not been performing up to expectations. DPJ is raw as a receiver and needs more minutes. May also have to burn the Oliver and Nico redshirts. With another loss it will be time to prepare for the future success of the program than focus on upperclassmen who are not performing
- Yes, 2018 will be a critical season. We will be experienced everywhere but there will probably still be a huge question mark at that most important of positions-Quarterback. It will pretty much be Harbaugh's first full team next year in terms of four classes that he signed. Youth will no longer be an excuse. Also, a huge 2018 season will be critical in regaining recruiting momentum. And yes, the Harbaugh Honeymoon will be over. Time to perform.
Of course, the hope was that one of those losses would not be against Michigan State in the Big House. That same Michigan State team that won just three games last season and then incurred a plethora of off-the-field issues and suspensions before this season. Some thought that Michigan State would just roll over and die. This was ridiculous. As I made clear to some supposed know-it-alls, MSU would be a tough game and had more talent than the last three teams that we had trouble beating.
https://michigan.forums.rivals.com/threads/why-do-people-keep-saying-msu.223489/
So yes, I expected Michigan to lose a few games. I knew that our offense would have to at least play near error-free ball and rely on our defense to win. Our defense held up to their end of the bargain, but five turnovers were at least one too many today. Of course, the weather didn't help. It perhaps would have helped if we held the lead when the downpour began, but we didn't and it is tough enough for this offense to play catch-up in fair weather conditions, virtually impossible in stormy weather.
So what next? This game told us more about our team than perhaps we wanted to know. Here are a few thoughts:
- The much-maligned Wilton Speight was the starter for a reason. O'Korn performed admirably against Purdue but he made several key mistakes today. He is not as effective at protecting the ball as Speight is. Sure he is more mobile and athletic, and behind our often porous OL that can be an advantage. However, I see a much higher degree of volatility at the QB position with O'Korn than with Speight. High risk, high reward. Wilton has sort of looked consistently mediocre, but he did not have a game as bad as O'Korn had today. Of course, the weather conditions played a role in this performance. In any event, the second string QB is always the fan favorite when the starter plays poorly. Lets see if there are calls for Brandon Peters or Dylan McCaffrey to get playing time.
- This offense has issues irrespective as to who the QB is. The OL is very inconsistent and often seems like a sieve. Our wide receivers are for the most part very raw. Too many drops (weather of course played a role today but it has been an issue all year, only Perry has been somewhat consistent) but also not seeing the route-running and situational awareness needed at the position. The young kids still seem to be more athlete than receiver, DPJ included. WE have a major issue at the RT spot. Ulizio was replaced by JBB. Both performed poorly. Even Mason Cole had issues handling MSU's walk-on DE. Frankly, our OL is nowhere near to being Big Ten title level.
- Losing to a rival is like a punch in the gut. Especially our so-called lesser rival in MSU. Fact is that Dantonio has dominated Michigan over the past decade. It is what it is. We have the better talent, but again he beat us. I could understand losing to him regularly in the RichRod and Hoke era, but in Jim Harbaugh's third year we should not have already lost to them twice in the Big House. For a program that some Michigan fans were calling a dumpster fire just a few months ago they are in a pretty good position, plus it looks like their recruiting is picking up, especially with the 2019 class. They may not be as talented as Michigan going forward, but they will still have more talent than 70% of the Big Ten and in a rivalry game that is enough for them to continue playing us tough and beating us 1/3 of the time as they did even back in the Bo/Mo/Carr era.
- Recruiting hit? Sure we will take a recruiting hit. Blue chippers like to play for winners. We will recruit very good players but if we want to get to the Alabama/Clemson/Ohio State level we need to have more classes like 2016 and 2017 and fewer like our 2018 class. This COULD impact our 2018 class. We had a slew of official visitors in today. Of course, if we get things turned around and close strongly today's loss could be substantially mitigated, but frankly if we cannot handle MSU in the Big House how can we beat Ohio State at home or PSU and Wisconsin on the road. This is starting to look more like a four loss regular season team. If that happens, it could substantially negatively impact how the class of 2018 closes and also how the class of 2019 starts to shape up.
- Remember, however, that we are about the youngest team in the nation. Next year can't come here soon enough. In the interim, what does this loss mean for possible future personnel changes? Especially on offense. I don't know if much happens in the next week, but with another loss and being knocked out of Big Ten title contention do we go with a younger QB in order to develop him and the offense for next season? Everybody is pointing towards next year but frankly our offense needs to improve immensely in order for us to be serious national contender. That could make Dylan McCaffrey possibly the single most important player on our current roster in terms of defining the 2018 ceiling of the Wolverines. I am just not convinced that any of the other QBs have it in terms of getting us to that next level. Also, what about starting to get the freshman OL some serious PT? Can't be worse than what we are currently seeing at a few spots. Ruiz, Stueber and/or Filiaga all have a chance to see serious time sooner rather than later if this offensive downtrend continues. And at WR, the sophs-McDoom and Crawford-just have not been performing up to expectations. DPJ is raw as a receiver and needs more minutes. May also have to burn the Oliver and Nico redshirts. With another loss it will be time to prepare for the future success of the program than focus on upperclassmen who are not performing
- Yes, 2018 will be a critical season. We will be experienced everywhere but there will probably still be a huge question mark at that most important of positions-Quarterback. It will pretty much be Harbaugh's first full team next year in terms of four classes that he signed. Youth will no longer be an excuse. Also, a huge 2018 season will be critical in regaining recruiting momentum. And yes, the Harbaugh Honeymoon will be over. Time to perform.
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